The Ithaca Yellowjackets Season Preview
Coach: Terry Hessbrook (11th year)
2013 record: 14-0 (56 straight wins, 4-time Division 6 Champion)
Players lost:Travis Smith, Logan Hessbrook, Eli Villalobos, Bryan Shaw, Josh Hafner, Grant Mills
Players returning: Dallas Reeser, Noah Slater, Myles Waldron, Jacob Smith, Tyler Spitzley, Spence DeMull, Kurtis Ackels, Jonah Loomis, Derek Reed, Ryan Buckley, Aaron Barnes, Jace Demenov
THREE QUESTIONS
1. Now the hunted, can this year’s Ithaca team continue the winning tradition and keep the consecutive winning streak alive?
At the beginning of every season, people and naysayers will speculate and make predictions. Here are the facts: The Yellowjackets have a small team, and staying injury-free is going to be the key for them. Even being small, though,, the team is experienced and knows what it takes to win. Coach Terry Hessbrook will have his troops prepared and ready for battle once the season begins. Winning builds character, and Ithaca has lots of it.
2. Is Jake Smith another great quarterback in Ithaca’s line of successful signal callers?
Alex Niznak had it. Travis Smith, Jake’s older brother, had it. Now Jake has it. “It” is the ability to lead a team when the game is on the line. When that occurs, Jake Smith wants the ball. He can make all the throws. He can take off when the pocket collapses and shake defenders when needed. Jake Smith has the ability to lead this year’s squad. He likes pressure and thrives on. Ithaca will be in good hands this season
3. How good will Jace Demenov be for the Yellowjackets?
Demenov fits the mold of former quality Ithaca linebackers like Conrad Bovee, Garrett Miniard, and Lucas Slater. Demenov can close a gap quicker than anyone, and he packs a punch. With a solid foundation of speed and strength underneath him, Demenov is only going to get better. Demenov and Dallas Reeser make up a heck of a linebacking corps for the Yellowjackets.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Ryan Buckley is shifty and is probably the fastest player on the team. If he can get space, look out, because he will likely take it to the house for six.
REASON FOR OPTIMISM
The idea that a team doesn’t want to be the one to see the streak end looms large with the Yellowjackets. Winning builds tradition, and this year’s team knows all about winning and the tradition of Ithaca football. Until someone knocks Ithaca out of the ranks of the unbeaten, the optimism will always be high.
REASON FOR PANIC
“We have a very small roster of only 24 players and only four seniors, so we will obviously have to stay healthy,” Coach Hessbrook said. “We also must be very well-conditioned. We are very young, but they have a great deal of experience, also. The nine sophomores that were up last year saw a lot of action.”
PREDICTION
Without predicting wins and losses, it can be said that Ithaca’s senior and junior classes have been to battle and that they know how to get it done on the field. No one wants to be the team to lose, and with the streak intact, it’s hard to go against the Yellowjackets. The well-oiled machine hopes to fly under the radar, but when you have won that many games in a row, that doesn’t happen. Bottom line is that if Ithaca remains healthy, it is as good as any team in Division 6.